The study explores the dynamics of unfollowing misinformation spreaders on Twitter. Over six months, 1M followers and 5K health misinformation spreaders were tracked. The study found that misinformation ties are persistent with monthly unfollowing rates at just 0.52%. Users are 31% more likely to unfollow non-misinformation spreaders than misinformation spreaders. Factors associated with unfollowing misinformation spreaders are redundancy and ideology. Users who follow many spreaders or spreaders who tweet often are most likely to unfollow later. Liberals are more likely to unfollow than conservatives. The study suggests a need for external nudges and the importance of preventing exposure from arising in the first place.
Publication date: 25 Jan 2024
Project Page: https://doi.org/XXXXXXX.XXXXXXX
Paper: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2401.13480
